Jake's Tribute in Gesher Application 2006
: Jewish Role Model Essay
Most people look up to the famous and well known, but I have found my Jewish role model in a place far from the public eye. Every Thursday I go to a Jewish educational program called Midrisha. There I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Leonard Berman. Dr. Berman is has influenced me Jewishly and secularly in ways that I will never forget.
Firstly, let me explain what Dr. Berman is like. He is a brilliant but modest man. His hair and beard are both completely white, yet he seems to radiate a youthful energy. He is intellectually and socially advanced beyond any individual that I have ever met, not only because he is gifted, but also because he is truly dedicated to knowing and understanding all that he can. His ready wit is always good for a laugh, which adds to his wonderful teaching style. What Dr. Berman taught me is something that I have never been taught before. That is, to think outside the box; to become familiar with many ideas and theories, and to truly apply them (after critique and modification) in a way that may shatter a religious image, but restore it with a more meaningful internalization of Judaism.
Dr. Berman posses a unique understanding of life, and uses his knowledge to help his students. For example, he recognizes how trying and stressful teenage life is, and wants to help us teenagers see positive things in our existence. He accomplishes this by requesting each student, every class, to describe a “good thing of the week”. Although this may not be a direct connection to Jewish education, I think that as Jews we are meant to enjoy life, and this short and simple ritual helps myself and others see the silver lining around otherwise stormy clouds.
In addition, Dr. Berman values the importance of thought and discussion. Contrary to my previous Jewish education, I was encouraged to not only question religious theories but to modify them in a way that suits me personally. For the past year or so, I felt very conflicted about my Jewish beliefs. Traditional Judaism didn’t fit well with my personal beliefs and feelings about the world. I soon became discouraged. I credit Dr. Berman with restoring my faith in Judaism. For the first time in a long time, someone asked me what I really believe in. I knew that it wasn’t traditional Judaism, but I was shocked to find that there was very little that I did believe in. Dr. Berman then exposed the class to a wide variety of Jewish theories and theorists, encouraging us to use the wisdom of others to help us brainstorm and develop beliefs of our own. The rest of the class consisted of discussion on various aspects of Judaism, including G od, spiritualism, good vs. evil, and the afterlife. The class ended with a final exam, which was a documentation of our own personal beliefs. By the end of class, I had developed an intricate belief system based on not just one strict and unyielding theory, but of a special medley of previously existing theories combined with my own original ones. In his weekly classes, Dr. Leonard Berman has influenced me Jewishly more than anyone has my in my entire life. This is why he is my Jewish hero.
Jake Wetchler
Speech for presenting the award I established in Jake's memory.
The Jake Wetchler Midrashah Memorial Award was created to honor the memory of a brilliant former Midrashah student who died of cancer in October of 2009. The Jake Wetchler Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research was created by his parents to fund cutting edge research. There is a card telling you something about this remarkable young man and the foundation created to honor his memory.
This is what Jake had to say about Midrashah upon his gratduation:
Not only do the teachers know their stuff and care about it, they also have energy and passion about what they teach, and it rubs off on the students. It’s all about the atmosphere that the teachers create; one with a give and take between the teachers and students, and the students with themselves; and most importantly, one that encourages questions.
Midrasha realizes how important questioning is. Midrasha gives students the ultimate opportunity to create firm, strong beliefs by allowing them to question what they’re taught, and by exposing them to alternate perspectives. The best way to form strong, long lasting beliefs is to make them pass the test of skepticism.”
Jake was insightful, skeptical, personable, decent, and not shy or reserved with his perceptions or opinions. In the spirit of who Jake was, this award is presented to another insightful, skeptical, personable, decent, young man who is also not shy with his perceptions or opinions.
Laura Wasserman 2010
Rachel Pagano 2011
Eric Kessler 2012
Ari Dinero 2013
Most people look up to the famous and well known, but I have found my Jewish role model in a place far from the public eye. Every Thursday I go to a Jewish educational program called Midrisha. There I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Leonard Berman. Dr. Berman is has influenced me Jewishly and secularly in ways that I will never forget.
Firstly, let me explain what Dr. Berman is like. He is a brilliant but modest man. His hair and beard are both completely white, yet he seems to radiate a youthful energy. He is intellectually and socially advanced beyond any individual that I have ever met, not only because he is gifted, but also because he is truly dedicated to knowing and understanding all that he can. His ready wit is always good for a laugh, which adds to his wonderful teaching style. What Dr. Berman taught me is something that I have never been taught before. That is, to think outside the box; to become familiar with many ideas and theories, and to truly apply them (after critique and modification) in a way that may shatter a religious image, but restore it with a more meaningful internalization of Judaism.
Dr. Berman posses a unique understanding of life, and uses his knowledge to help his students. For example, he recognizes how trying and stressful teenage life is, and wants to help us teenagers see positive things in our existence. He accomplishes this by requesting each student, every class, to describe a “good thing of the week”. Although this may not be a direct connection to Jewish education, I think that as Jews we are meant to enjoy life, and this short and simple ritual helps myself and others see the silver lining around otherwise stormy clouds.
In addition, Dr. Berman values the importance of thought and discussion. Contrary to my previous Jewish education, I was encouraged to not only question religious theories but to modify them in a way that suits me personally. For the past year or so, I felt very conflicted about my Jewish beliefs. Traditional Judaism didn’t fit well with my personal beliefs and feelings about the world. I soon became discouraged. I credit Dr. Berman with restoring my faith in Judaism. For the first time in a long time, someone asked me what I really believe in. I knew that it wasn’t traditional Judaism, but I was shocked to find that there was very little that I did believe in. Dr. Berman then exposed the class to a wide variety of Jewish theories and theorists, encouraging us to use the wisdom of others to help us brainstorm and develop beliefs of our own. The rest of the class consisted of discussion on various aspects of Judaism, including G od, spiritualism, good vs. evil, and the afterlife. The class ended with a final exam, which was a documentation of our own personal beliefs. By the end of class, I had developed an intricate belief system based on not just one strict and unyielding theory, but of a special medley of previously existing theories combined with my own original ones. In his weekly classes, Dr. Leonard Berman has influenced me Jewishly more than anyone has my in my entire life. This is why he is my Jewish hero.
Jake Wetchler
Speech for presenting the award I established in Jake's memory.
The Jake Wetchler Midrashah Memorial Award was created to honor the memory of a brilliant former Midrashah student who died of cancer in October of 2009. The Jake Wetchler Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research was created by his parents to fund cutting edge research. There is a card telling you something about this remarkable young man and the foundation created to honor his memory.
This is what Jake had to say about Midrashah upon his gratduation:
Not only do the teachers know their stuff and care about it, they also have energy and passion about what they teach, and it rubs off on the students. It’s all about the atmosphere that the teachers create; one with a give and take between the teachers and students, and the students with themselves; and most importantly, one that encourages questions.
Midrasha realizes how important questioning is. Midrasha gives students the ultimate opportunity to create firm, strong beliefs by allowing them to question what they’re taught, and by exposing them to alternate perspectives. The best way to form strong, long lasting beliefs is to make them pass the test of skepticism.”
Jake was insightful, skeptical, personable, decent, and not shy or reserved with his perceptions or opinions. In the spirit of who Jake was, this award is presented to another insightful, skeptical, personable, decent, young man who is also not shy with his perceptions or opinions.
Laura Wasserman 2010
Rachel Pagano 2011
Eric Kessler 2012
Ari Dinero 2013